After an early afternoon with the Harley Owners Group at the VA State Rally (don't ride a Harley, have a Kawasaki Vulcan, in NC at that) but enjoy being with bikers. I also enjoy aircraft, and made a return visit to this very fine museum. Located near the Richmond International Airport, the museum has some 37 aircraft on hand. A few you can see right out front without paying the admission (but its reasonable and worth it). One of the stars of the collection is the SR-71 Blackbird. Flown as a "spyplane" the SR-71 was never shot down, thanks to it being able to fly at "over Mach 3" and "over" 85,000 feet. They were retired, and Richmond has this one.
Also retired, and also on display outside is the F-14 Tomcat seen here. The Tomcat served in the US Navy from the 1970's till just a few years ago. Time and maintenance requirements caught up with the big Grumman fighter-bomber. The big twin engined swing-wing plane was one of the "Stars" of the movie "Top Gun" , and was involved during its service life in many of the nation's military actions. It was flown by a crew of two, and its primary role was air defense of US Carriers at sea. Noted it was a fighter-bomber though that last role was added late in its lifetime. Now the F/A-18 does both roles in the United States Navy.
As noted, there are a lot of planes there. Some of the planes are very rare, and many are virtually (if not literally) one of a kind. The plane that Admiral Richard E. Byrd (a Virginia native by the way) flew over the South Pole is on display there. There are also a number of flight simulators (entertaining to young and old) as well as other aviation displays. There are even some really good aviation movies. I watched one on the SR-71, which was really good. There is something there for everyone, even those with only a passing interest in aviation. I enjoyed a good three hours there, and this was my third visit to the museum since I have been in Richmond!
The museum has many classic aircraft of the 20's and 30's such as this Stinson Reliant, which is one of the most beautiful aircraft of the period in my book. This plane could fly 3-4 passengers at a then dazzling speed of 165 mph a bit over 800 miles. I love the flared wheel covers, and the big radial engine. Planes of those period were part of what was known as "The Golden Years" of Aviation. Many planes in the collection include these type of planes, general aviation planes, a hang glider, and a large number of commercial and military biplanes. The fact that they all have a history, and are not recreations is a huge plus, and there are some remarkable examples.
I am also impressed with the military warplanes of the WW1 era on display, such as this remarkable SPAD VII seen here. Back in that war, pilots flew without parachutes for the most part, in planes without such things as self-sealing fuel tanks, and often in aerial combat faced the choice of burning to death or falling out of the plane to the ground (many carried pistols to save themselves the choice). Many pilots had a combat history measured in hours. Very few of the planes of that period remain, and this is one of the few SPAD VII's in existance. It is a real treat to check out this museum, and if you get the chance in Richmond, take time to explore its wonders!
After an early afternoon with the Harley Owners Group at the VA State Rally (don't ride a Harley, have a Kawasaki Vulcan, in NC at that) but enjoy being with bikers. I also enjoy aircraft, and made a return visit to this very fine museum. Located near the Richmond International Airport, the museum has some 37 aircraft on hand. A few you can see right out front without paying the admission (but its reasonable and worth it). One of the stars of the collection is the SR-71 Blackbird. Flown as a "spyplane" the SR-71 was never shot down, thanks to it being able to fly at "over Mach 3" and "over" 85,000 feet. They were retired, and Richmond has this one. 
Also retired, and also on display outside is the F-14 Tomcat seen here. The Tomcat served in the US Navy from the 1970's till just a few years ago. Time and maintenance requirements caught up with the big Grumman fighter-bomber. The big twin engined swing-wing plane was one of the "Stars" of the movie "Top Gun" , and was involved during its service life in many of the nation's military actions. It was flown by a crew of two, and its primary role was air defense of US Carriers at sea. Noted it was a fighter-bomber though that last role was added late in its lifetime. Now the F/A-18 does both roles in the United States Navy. 
As noted, there are a lot of planes there. Some of the planes are very rare, and many are virtually (if not literally) one of a kind. The plane that Admiral Richard E. Byrd (a Virginia native by the way) flew over the South Pole is on display there. There are also a number of flight simulators (entertaining to young and old) as well as other aviation displays. There are even some really good aviation movies. I watched one on the SR-71, which was really good. There is something there for everyone, even those with only a passing interest in aviation. I enjoyed a good three hours there, and this was my third visit to the museum since I have been in Richmond!
The museum has many classic aircraft of the 20's and 30's such as this Stinson Reliant, which is one of the most beautiful aircraft of the period in my book. This plane could fly 3-4 passengers at a then dazzling speed of 165 mph a bit over 800 miles. I love the flared wheel covers, and the big radial engine. Planes of those period were part of what was known as "The Golden Years" of Aviation. Many planes in the collection include these type of planes, general aviation planes, a hang glider, and a large number of commercial and military biplanes. The fact that they all have a history, and are not recreations is a huge plus, and there are some remarkable examples. 
I am also impressed with the military warplanes of the WW1 era on display, such as this remarkable SPAD VII seen here. Back in that war, pilots flew without parachutes for the most part, in planes without such things as self-sealing fuel tanks, and often in aerial combat faced the choice of burning to death or falling out of the plane to the ground (many carried pistols to save themselves the choice). Many pilots had a combat history measured in hours. Very few of the planes of that period remain, and this is one of the few SPAD VII's in existance. It is a real treat to check out this museum, and if you get the chance in Richmond, take time to explore its wonders!
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